The Kanisfluh is the most distinctive mountain in the Bregenzerwald — a long, largely isolated massif with a cliff face rising abruptly above the valley between the villages of Mellau, Au, and Schnepfau. Its summit reaches 2,044 metres, and the ridge is a classic high-level walking route with views extending in clear weather to Lake Constance and the Allgäu Alps.
The ascent from Mellau takes about three to four hours to the ridge. The most dramatic approach is from the western side, where the cliff face gives the mountain its character. A cable car from Mellau reduces the ascent time significantly. The mountain requires proper footwear and good weather — the cliff-edge path on the summit ridge is exposed. For those who prefer to admire from below, the view of the Kanisfluh from the valley road near Schnepfau is one of the best alpine panoramas in Vorarlberg.